Nice gesture, but Congress won't do the same

Post #373,348 by lincoln 4/3/13 3:59:20 PM Reply	Nice gesture, but Congress won't do the same President Obama will return 5 percent of his salary to the U.S. Treasury when other federal workers are being furloughed as part of the mandatory budget cuts that took effect earlier this year, NBC News has confirmed. The voluntary move would be retroactive to March 1 and apply through the rest of the calendar year, the official said. The White House came up with the 5 percent figure to approximate the level of automatic spending cuts to non-defense federal agencies that took effect that day. "The president has decided that to share in the sacrifice being made by public servants across the federal government that are affected by the sequester, he will contribute a portion of his salary back to the Treasury," [an administration] official said. http://firstread.nbc...quester-cuts?lite Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,373 by hnick 4/3/13 6:41:02 PM Reply	I'm really impressed He's a friggin' multimillionaire making $400K plus all expenses found while ingratiating himself with the bank and insurance rackets by screwing the lower classes and he manages to kick in 5%! His kids must be trembling with fear that their allowance will be reduced because of cutbacks. Of course, he'll make tons on the political rubber chicken circuit when he retires because of previously mentioned screwing like all his predecessors, but the kids are shaking today! I suppose that we should be grateful that he didn't select a couple token liberals and piss on them on prime time television. That was kind of him too. I guess he does have his good points.
Post #373,374 by folkert 4/3/13 7:01:35 PM Reply	Gotta start somewhere... Would Mitt have done it? -- greg@gregfolkert.net PGP key 1024D/B524687C 2003-08-05 Fingerprint: E1D3 E3D7 5850 957E FED0 2B3A ED66 6971 B524 687C
Post #373,384 by lincoln 4/3/13 8:33:54 PM Reply	Are McConnell and Boehner doing it? They're millionaires too. Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,390 by hnick 4/4/13 7:55:24 AM Reply	Wow! Somebody else is worse!! That makes everything ok, then. Can't call somebody out for being a sleazoid fake if somebody else is worse... Oh, well. I slink, chastened, back to my purity cave...
Post #373,393 by lincoln 4/4/13 8:49:24 AM Reply	And you're whining that he didn't do enough to satisfy you while the other side isn't doing anything at all. And you're okay with that? Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,394 by hnick 4/4/13 9:04:13 AM Reply	And your point is that a meaningless gesture gets him off the hook for everything? Sort of like dropping a coin in the church box to make up for your sins or something? I would tend to disagree. It's a trivial, politically calculated misdirection to show he's still interested in the people he's helping to savage. He's interested all right. He's interested in fucking over the non-rich classes. He's still trying for a Grand Bargain to gut social services. He's still sucking up to the bankers. He's still got the least transparent administration in history. The list goes on. You could say I'm unsatisfied. The republicans didn't do anything? Why should they? They're SUPPOSED to be the bad guys in this Kabuki. Them doing their assigned part doesn't excuse Obama. Even if he does throw down some pocket change.
Post #373,403 by folkert 4/4/13 11:26:16 AM Reply	When did you become "anti-boxley"? -- greg@gregfolkert.net PGP key 1024D/B524687C 2003-08-05 Fingerprint: E1D3 E3D7 5850 957E FED0 2B3A ED66 6971 B524 687C
Post #373,410 by lincoln 4/4/13 12:22:51 PM Reply	Re: And your point And your point is that a meaningless gesture gets him off the hook for everything? Not in the least bit, and that's not my point of my post at all. He's making the symbolic gesture of "I feel your pain" a la Clinton. He's interested in fucking over the non-rich classes. Not nearly as much as the Republicans want to fuck over the poor and middle class. And they're getting away with it at the state level and whenever they can in Congress. Drug testing for welfare recipients? Check. Report card checking for those getting government payments (passing grades for Junior means Mommy gets cash; otherwise, she gets bupkiss.)? Check. Cutting state Medicaid for low income senior citizens? Check. Shutting down abortion providers? Check. De-funding Planned Parenthood? Check. Etc. He's still trying for a Grand Bargain to gut social services. And he's getting reamed for it on every liberal political web site that I've read in the past month. He's still sucking up to the bankers. Agree - and he sucks for doing that. He's still got the least transparent administration in history. Disagree - but again, he's getting reamed for it on every liberal political web site that I've read in the past few years. Just as the Dubya administration got reamed for its lack of transparency on every liberal political web site I read since 2003. Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,402 by folkert 4/4/13 11:25:23 AM Reply	I did not say that. I said (effectively), if someone doesn't start (and then continue) how will it progress? But you calling Big O, Leads to this kind of discussion. -- greg@gregfolkert.net PGP key 1024D/B524687C 2003-08-05 Fingerprint: E1D3 E3D7 5850 957E FED0 2B3A ED66 6971 B524 687C
Post #373,406 by hnick 4/4/13 11:54:08 AM Reply	All right, someone needs to start then. As I indicated above, Obama hasn't started anything. This kind of misdirection is a design pattern with him. Make a nice, politically savvy, cheap gesture and then use it to cover several egregiously rotten "compromises", back room deals, or flagrant abuses of power. It seems to work because too many people, "serious" pundits and apologists or cheerleaders, seize on this sort of thing to sing his praises and claim "he's so much better than the other guy!". As you may have noticed, this has been a source of some irritation to me. Obama is going to do a huge amount of damage to the country and for the rest of my lifetime, it will be blamed on democrats in general and liberals in specific. In spite of the fact that he is more of a right wing republican than the John Birch society could have dreamed of. Being a liberal, I disapprove of this. Suffice it that when people start singing his praises for a cheap publicity gag, I may feel inclined to point out the odd fly in the ointment. Apologies if it seems I'm shooting the messenger; I'm just ridiculing the message.
Post #373,407 by folkert 4/4/13 12:00:46 PM 4/4/13 12:01:26 PM Reply	Stop. I said "Gotta start somewhere" it started with the Military Peeps. Big O reciprocated... what is so hard about making a first step? I mean a journey starts with a first step, does it not? You want the whole effing journey ON THE FIRST STEP The Republicans (and most Democrats as well) will never even begin to make that first step. I'm not singing Praises either... just stating Obvious Facts... if that is Singing his praises... well then, where is the choir you should be yelling at? -- greg@gregfolkert.net PGP key 1024D/B524687C 2003-08-05 Fingerprint: E1D3 E3D7 5850 957E FED0 2B3A ED66 6971 B524 687C Edited by folkert April 4, 2013, 12:01:26 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #373,408 by hnick 4/4/13 12:07:42 PM Reply	Done
Post #373,423 by mmoffitt 4/4/13 2:47:18 PM Reply	And Tuesdays. Don't forget Tuesdays.
Post #373,385 by Another Scott 4/3/13 9:11:53 PM Reply	Wonkette FTW. http://wonkette.com/...ng-howler-monkeys Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,395 by boxley 4/4/13 9:58:05 AM Reply	why dont he give up one vacation trip and keep WH tours? Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,396 by Another Scott 4/4/13 10:02:31 AM Reply	Why won't Congress pass a sensible budget?
Post #373,414 by boxley 4/4/13 1:32:04 PM Reply	why won't the whitehouse lead? Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,417 by lincoln 4/4/13 1:47:18 PM Reply	read the Constitution It's the House's duty to create budgets. Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,473 by lincoln 4/5/13 9:40:09 AM Reply	Ask and ye shall receive Obama to offer compromise budget to Republicans http://firstread.nbc...-republicans?lite Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,480 by boxley 4/5/13 11:49:48 AM Reply	are those real spending cuts or sears spending cuts Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,482 by hnick 4/5/13 12:01:37 PM 4/5/13 12:33:57 PM Reply	He got at Social Security like he's always wanted. I doubt he'll cause any pain to big money. And it'll all be the liberals fault. The only upside I can see is that we never have to listen to the lesser of two evils pitch again. And it might be enough to get him assassinated. Edit: It appears that the orange weeper blew it off already, so no immediate damage done. No thanks to O. Who I imagine will keep trying; he really seems to have it in for SS. Edited by hnick April 5, 2013, 12:33:57 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #373,488 by Another Scott 4/5/13 12:47:53 PM Reply	Boehner's not going to pass anything. The only way a budget is going to pass is if the teabaggers are voted out of office. Until then, things are going to muddle along as they are with only changes at the margins. That means huge, smart, cuts to Defense aren't coming either, even though they're needed. HTH. Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,489 by mmoffitt 4/5/13 1:01:10 PM Reply	Great. So now we're left with Boehner being the last defense for the working class? Swell. The future looks really bright.
Post #373,490 by Another Scott 4/5/13 1:09:15 PM Reply	You're funny. We've been around these tracks before. Here's a couple of my posts (and threads) that will save me some typing. http://forum.iwethey...iwt?postid=319189 http://forum.iwethey...iwt?postid=368133 ;-) Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,502 by Ashton 4/5/13 5:44:50 PM Reply	All well said.. And I Hope (too) that Obama can somehow overcome the Paradox forced on ALL public figures, that You Dare Not tip your game-plan {other than vaguely} ..as it SHALL Be Spun into unrecognizable territory. He's STILL the Best one in his position IMO, given the paucity of Any Talent Whatsoever.. still remaining in Murican Political Theatre. Seems we have lost most of the Original minds as once sprinkled about through the detritus of Consumerdom--just when we Need those worthies, merely to survive.. ..forget 'thrive' in any foreseeable :-/
Post #373,503 by Another Scott 4/5/13 6:56:21 PM Reply	I'm expecting him to disappoint many with Keystone XL It seems to me that unless he punts on the decision again, he'll decide to let it go ahead. That will infuriate many who portray it as the final nail in the coffin on climate change. With James Hansen free from his federal position, I'm sure he'll be out in front with the condemnation. But I expect he will get some plaudits from "middle America" on the decision. (Papers in ND are already saying that the pipeline spill in AR is no big deal and should not affect the KXL decision - http://www.thedickin...37/group/Opinion/ ) Not that it will matter in the House, of course. But it might help swing some races that would swing the other way in the '14 election. Single issue voters will attempt to be very noisy either way. There are lots of other things he has to worry about in the decision, too - http://www.nytimes.c...ml?pagewanted=all He's in a nearly impossible position with respect to that, and with respect to trying to run the federal government in general. It's easy to say he should bend the House to his will, but he can't. He has no leverage because the voters didn't give him the leverage he needs. So he has to play the hand he was dealt. When he tries to get leverage by being creative with the cards he has, by proposing compromises[] or even accepting some of the Republicans proposals in exchange for other things he wants, he's called all sorts of names by those who seemingly refuse to accept that he's not king. It sucks, but that's where we are. What do I think he should do? Accept the KXL with conditions - a) regular thorough inspections of the pipelines and facilities; b) increased regulation of old coal-fired plants to get them cleaned up or offline sooner; c) some sort of tax increase to make it more expensive to burn fossil fuels (or elimination of the egregious oil company tax breaks). He probably only can do a and maybe b through the EPA. But he can make an issue out of c. If he can use the KXL to get substantially more carbon-spewing things offline, it's a win for nearly everyone. [] - e.g. on the Chained CPI for Social Security. The proposal I saw (and posted about a few weeks ago - I'll post the link if I can find it again) was that the CPI would be adjusted, but benefits would increase for lower-income retirees. But you don't hear about that from those who say he's wanting seniors to eat generic dog food instead of Alpo - http://www.balloon-j...-you-were-my-man/ <sigh> Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,506 by Another Scott 4/5/13 8:27:33 PM Reply	Via Woodward - Nabors Draft "Grand Bargain" from 2011. This isn't the link I was thinking of, but it has the important parts and a link to the 3 page FAX images. http://americablog.c...go-quite-far.html FWIW. Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,512 by boxley 4/6/13 10:10:47 AM Reply	hansen is free? That will infuriate many who portray it as the final nail in the coffin on climate change when did you sell your car? turn off your heat and air conditioning? Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,412 by lincoln 4/4/13 12:25:46 PM Reply	take the money from the Pentagon budget they won't miss it. Hell, to their budget it's basically a rounding error. Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,460 by Another Scott 4/4/13 9:37:46 PM Reply	More. http://www.dailykos....d-federal-workers FWIW. Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,472 by boxley 4/5/13 9:36:18 AM Reply	lets make the cuts permanent :-) Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,474 by lincoln 4/5/13 9:40:59 AM Reply	Agree - let's make permanent cuts to Pentagon's budget Satan (impatiently) to Newcomer: The trouble with you Chicago people is, that you think you are the best people down here; whereas you are merely the most numerous. - - - Mark Twain ÂPuddÂnhead WilsonÂs New Calendar,Â 1897
Post #373,478 by boxley 4/5/13 11:47:57 AM Reply	Agree Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #373,500 by Ashton 4/5/13 5:19:37 PM Reply	Point/Counterpoint http://www.salon.com...emium%29_7_30_110 Alex Pareene's hair may be on fire.. but this 'Iconic' / now viral Pee Arrrr ploy has wreaked much more suppressed Negativity than.. had BHO tied a sick cat to his car-roof and hosed off his diarrhea ... while obeying his robotic Inner-time-clock. [Linkies abound]: [. . .] It reminds me, sort of, of the House Republican and No Labels-supported Âno budget, no payÂ movement, which similarly missed the point. None of these people rely on their paychecks to make the rent or feed a family or pay down crushing debt. The Senate is full of millionaires; the House only looks middle-class in comparison. Instead of calling attention to the real effects of a pointless and intentionally destructive spending cut, comfortable people voluntarily Âgiving upÂ a pittance of their salaries only distracts. These are cuts that could kill some cancer patients. They have 40-year-olds seeking to go back to war for the pay raise. The cuts will (again, entirely pointlessly) badly disrupt scientific and medical research. Anti-poverty programs across the country face cuts. People have and will continue to lose jobs without the possibility of seeking lucrative think tank, lobbying firm or cable news work instead. [. . .] If Obama is not [does not remain ... ...] entirely clueless about his trend of furthering the mega-deaths of Badness that gestated in The Cheney Shogunate, then he'd best get a Guts-transplant / match his honeyed [and ..wearing thin.. ] rhetorical Promises with some fierceness appropriate to the Traitorous We-Won't-DO-Our JOBS obvious attitude of the Reactionary-Repo dittoheads. The U.S. fucking-'governance' is not merely 'broken'--it is approaching-Terminal, as in denouement for this Empire built on Inequality-set-in-concrete. Blood, in buckets.. next? 50/50 says my Cthulhu-Vileness-Spectrometer. What a bunch of hypocrites--to match a bunch of Ignorati who voted-in clinical psychopaths. 'Knowingly'.
Post #373,501 by drook 4/5/13 5:41:54 PM Reply	Speaking of which ... A lot of people voted for these jackasses. How do we turn them around without making them feel stupid? Sure, I WANT them to feel stupid, but that doesn't make it easier for them to change. -- Drew
Post #373,504 by Another Scott 4/5/13 6:59:03 PM Reply	Gotta change the conversation. As long as the conversation is about conventional wisdom (taxes bad, Jesus good, etc., etc.), people aren't going to throw out their elected officials. The conversation has to change. That list of trillions hidden off shore in various hidden bank accounts might be a good place to start. http://www.nytimes.c...aked-records.html Cheers, Scott.
Post #373,505 by Ashton 4/5/13 8:05:03 PM 4/5/13 10:31:09 PM Reply	Zowie!! IF.. the Troglodytes do not succeed in all their emergency-CYA scurrying, Surely THIS IS the straw which can get restored (in even Murica) legal-bookshelves full of Financial Regulations with actual Teeth. Maybe the longest-shot, ever, but: this is fucking Real Hard Data / as much as Proof: of that which weunses have always known was Occurring. Fingers crossed--wanna see how Corporate Meeja tries to shit-can the Fact of this.. Let's keep all of us posted on the coming Fallout, EH? Let's Have one for the senile-old Gipper, right in his wazoo.. Finally: some Good News in Spin-land! Ed: ..and Salon chimes in with: http://www.salon.com...emium%29_7_30_110 Wall Street power player: WeÂre incentivized to cheat Wall Street: ENEMY of the [ALL] People.. [except THEIR PEOPLE.] Sic 'em! SOON, or Weunses ALL $DIE. Ed: PPS--Wait! there's More on the WTF is With BHO? agenda: http://www.salon.com...emium%29_7_30_110 Judge overrules Obama to protect womenÂs health also on NYT, of course.. Jeez.. ... is BHO becoming Irregularly-irregular ??? Edited by Ashton April 5, 2013, 08:55:26 PM EDT Edited by Ashton April 5, 2013, 10:31:09 PM EDT Expand All History

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